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Ch 1 what is science
lessons 1 and 2
Term | Definition |
---|---|
science | a way of learning about the natural word through observations and logical reasoning leads to a body of knowledge |
observing | the process of using one or more of your senses to gather information |
quantitative observation | an observation that deals with a number or amount |
qualitative observation | an observation that deals with characteristics that can not be expressed in numbers |
inferring | the process of making an inference an interpretation based on observations and prior knowledge |
predicting | the process of what will happen in the future |
classifying | the process of grouping together items that are similar in some way |
evaluating | comparing observations and data to reach a conclusion about them |
making models | the process of creating representations |
skepticism | a attitude of doubt |
ethics | ruels that enable to know wright from wrong |
personal bias | an out look influenced by a persons likes and dislikes |
cultural bias | an outlook influenced by beliefs |
experimental bias | a mistake in the design of an experiment |
objective | describes the act of descision making drawing conclusions based on avalible evidance |
subjective | describes the influence of personal feelings on a decision or conclusion |
deductive reasoning | a way to explain things by starting with a general idea and then applying the idea to a specific observation |
inductive reasoning | using specific observations to make generalizations |
scientific inquiry | the ongoing process of discovery in science |
hypothysis | a possible explanation for a set of observations or answer to a scientific question |
variable | a factor that can change in an experiment |
manipulated variable | the one factor that a scientist changes during an experiment |
responding variable | a factor that changes as a result of changes to the manipulated or independent variable in an experiment |
controlled experiment | an experiment in witch only one variable is minepulated at a time |
data | facts,figures and other evidence is gathered through observations |
scientific theory | well tested explanation for a wide range of observations or experimental results |
scientific law | a statement that describes what scientists expect to happen every time under a particular set of conditions |